May 18, 2009

2009 COMMENCEMENT PHOTO GALLERY

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Monday, May 18, 2009) – The NCAA public service announcement states “that there are over 380,000 student athletes, and most of us go pro in something other than sports.” This past Saturday afternoon at the Show Me Center, 42 Redhawks student athletes received their degrees and will look to follow that motto and move on to the next chapter of their lives.

Among the 1,032 students in attendance, awaiting to get conferred by University President Dr. Kenneth W. Dobbins, were those student athletes scattered amongst their classmates. They were identified by their red sashes that they wore over their black robes. The sashes were handed out to the student athletes in a special ceremony held by the Athletic Academic Department’s staff and coaches on Friday evening.

Of those 42 graduates nine graduated with a cumulative grade point average of over 3.5. Cross country and track runner Amy Warren completed her studies in Communication Disorders and Spanish with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She is just one of 318 undergraduate students in the 136 years of the University to graduate with a perfect GPA.

She was also one of 20 graduating students honored as Honor Scholars.

Warren joined women’s basketball player Rachel Blunt and fellow track teammate Orie Ibe as Summa Cum Laude graduates. That honor goes to those baccalaureate students who achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or better.

Earning Magna Cum Laude honors (baccalaureate students who achieved a cumulative GPA between 3.75 and 3.89) were gymnasts Jennifer Dinan and Starlyn Schwartz and softball player Lindsey Woodworth.

Softball player Megan McDonald and volleyball player Kim Unnerstall garnered Cum Laude honors (baccalaureate students who achieved a cumulative GPA between 3.5 and 3.74).

Former Redhawks baseball player Anthony Maupin returned to Southeast Missouri State to obtain his masters degree and was among the short list of graduate students who earned Academic Distinction in the School of Graduate Studies for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher in his program.

Woodworth was also honored for being a member of two national honor societies. She is a member of Phi Kappi Phi (for seniors ranking in the upper 10 percent of their class) and Phi Eta Sigma (achieving a GPA of 3.5 or better during first one or two semesters of their freshman year).

Dinan, Ibe and Warren are also members of Phi Kappa Phi. Track and field athletes Whitney Thomas and Chloe Tubbs joined Woodworth as members of Phi Eta Sigma.

Student athletic trainer Matt Watkins was honored Cum Laude. Former Redhawks cross country and track runner Brittni Peck, who assisted in the athletic department business office the last three years as a student assistant, was honored Summa Cum Laude and named an Honors Scholar. Her sister Chelsea Peck, who also assisted the athletic department was honored Cum Laude.

Volunteer cross country coach Ryan Lane, sports information student assistant Nathan Quance and athletic training graduate assistant Hollie Whittaker received distinction in the School of Graduate Studies.

The College of Liberal Arts had the most student athletes receive their diplomas with 19. Cassie Mora (Sundancer), Lauren Costello (soccer), Tyrell Cummings (baseball), Waylon Francis (men’s basketball), Daryl Gist (Football), Brittany Hastings (volleyball), Jaycen Herring (men’s basketball), Tierra Johnson (women’s basketball), Nick Ketelsleger (football), Houston Lillard (football), Richard Martin (track and field), Paul McGuire (football), Ryan Poole (baseball), Blair Schuppan (soccer), Nick Stauffer (football), Michelle Summers (softball), Starlyn Schwartz (gymnastics), Daniel Stults (cross country and track) and Brenna Schlader (volleyball) earned degrees from the college.

Men’s basketball manager Luke Lochhead and sports information student assistants Maritza Toro and Leimomi Spink also graduated from the College of Liberal Arts.

The College of Health and Human Services had 12 student athletes receive degrees; Rachel Blunt (women’s basketball), Jennifer Dinan (gymnastics), Michael Douchant (cheerleading), Dana Joseph (Sundancers), Megan McDonald, Tarina Nixon (women’s basketball), Philip Riley (baseball), Amy Warren (cross country and track), Justin Wheeler (baseball), Lindsey Woodworth (softball), Bernard Quinn (football) and Kim Unnerstall (volleyball) are the graduates.

Sports information student assistants Jessica Hake and Bryce Weymouth, athletics event management student assistant Jesse Robinson and women’s basketball manager Jeri Tomlin also received their degrees from the College of Health and Human Services.

From the Donald L. Harrison College of Business six student athletes received their degrees, they include; Lauren Costello (a double major), Mathilde Dufour (women’s basketball), Orie Ibe (track and field), Daniel Stults (a double major), Whitney Thomas (track) and Chloe Tubbs (track and field).

From the School of Polytechnic Studies, Whitney Thomas earned her second degree as did Waylon Francis. Brandon Karcher (cross country and track) and Brandon McCrary (football) completed their degrees in Polytechnic Studies.

Track sprinter Seth Schuster earned his degree from The College of Science and Mathematics.

In the School of Graduate Studies, former Redhawks baseball players Anthony Maupin and Zach Blemker completed their respected Master’s programs.

Athletic training graduate assistants Chris McAndrew, Hollie Whittaker and Whitney Howser, cross country volunteer assistant coach Ryan Lane, athletic marketing and promotion graduate assistant David Schmelig and sports information student assistant Nathan Quance also received their Masters degree from the School of Graduate Studies.